Tamil Typing - A Comprehensive Guide PART 4: Handling Special Tamil Characters and Grantha Letters

Special Tamil Characters

Some Tamil characters are unique and require special keystrokes:

• ஃ (Aytam) → Used in words like "அஃது" (that thing)
• ழ (zha) → Unique retroflex letter, as in "தமிழ்" (Tamil)
• ற (Ra) → Used in words like "சிறப்பு" (special)

Grantha Characters (கிரந்த எழுத்துக்கள்)

Tamil also uses Grantha letters in certain words borrowed from Sanskrit:

• ஜ (ja), ஷ (sha), ஸ (sa), ஹ (ha), க்ஷ (ksha)

Typing Grantha letters requires special combinations, depending on the keyboard layout:

• ஜ (ja) = "j" key
• ஷ (sha) = "S" key
• ஹ (ha) = "h" key

Why This Matters?

Grantha letters are commonly used in Tamil names and borrowed words:

• ஸ்ரீ (Sri)
• மஹாதேவன் (Mahadevan)
• ஜெயம் (Jeyam)

Practising these characters ensures accuracy in formal Tamil writing.